Next week I will begin teaching a three week Maymester class at Lipscomb University. The undergradaute course is entitled “Systematic Biblical Doctrine.” I don’t much like the title–as I will explain later, but it is a course where I introduce students to a narrative reading of theology for the sake of the church. Over the next few weeks I hope to share on my blog something of what I share with them which is a primer course in Christian theology.

Below is the basic outline I use in both my undergraduate and graduate systematic theology courses. I constantly debate with myself whether I should embed the hermeneutical and methodological assumptions into the narrative itself or address them as prolegomena. I think I prefer speaking of them within the story; for example, discussing the nature/function of Scripture as part of the story of Israel and Church. But there is value in laying out my assumptions at the beginning and orienting students to the journey we will take together.

The outline includes some “focus” texts, narrates theology in the light of redemptive history (Creation to Eschaton–my six “Cs”), and summarizes key moments within the story by brief declarative statements. My intent in the course is to unpack those statements as part of the narrative of God’s active, redemptive and loving pursuit of humanity and his creation. We are called to participate in that pursuit–both in response to God’s own initiative and as partners with God in his work.

Here is the brief outline. I hope it whets your appetite for a bit of theology over the next three weeks. 🙂

Participating in God’s Story: A Narrative Reading of Theology for the Church

Living within the Story: Hermeneutical and Methodological Assumptions.

10. God, through the ascended reigning Christ, pours out the Spirit upon the believing community (church) for communion, transformation and empowerment.

11. The church is a community of redeemed humanity (salvation as past experience–Baptism).

12. The church is a community of transformed humanity (salvation as present experience–Table ).

13. The Spirit is at work to redeem and transform all creation through the church (missional ministry).

VI. Consummation: The End as New Beginning for the Story.

Texts: Isaiah 65:17-25; Romans 8:18-27; Revelation 21-22

14. God has always moved his story toward a cosmic goal (salvation as future experience).

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7 Responses to “Theology in Outline (SBD 1)”

2) I see Romans 6-11 being addressed. Will be interesting to see how you approach it.

3) Will be interested on how Kingdom “now” and “not yet” is presented. Seems to be a hot topic again nowadays.

4) The hijacked post-modern fluffy terminology (story, journey) turns me off immediately (like you care, I know). I don’t disagree, necessarily, with its use – it’s just overused nowadays – by the wrong people for the wrong reasons.

The main text for the undergraduate course is Stanley Grenz’ “Created for Community.” It is a bit on the “sophmoric” side for Juniors/Seniors, but it gives me the materials for discussion. Then there are assorted readings.

I do not think of “story” as fluffy terminology though it may have a postmodern tinge to it–which is one reason I like it. 🙂 If it communicates, I don’t mind overusing it. 🙂

Don, you are quite right…the text–and its redemptive-historical unveiling of God–is the textbook.

As for “new creation,” I hid it under “cosmic goal” with Romans 8 as the text…the new heavens and new earth. But the church is itself a new creation, a transformed humanity–at least in process toward such but redeemed nevertheless.